Britny Fox Biography

This glam-metal quartet was formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA in summer 1985 by vocalist Dizzy Dean Davidson (ex-World War III drummer) and former Cinderella guitarist Michael Kelly Smith. With the addition of bass player Billy Childs and drummer Tony Destra (also ex-Cinderella) they recorded the In America demo which landed them a major recording contract with CBS Records. Tragedy struck soon afterwards when Destra was killed in a car accident. The remaining trio recruited ex-Waysted drummer Johnny Dee (John DeTiodoro) to record their self-titled debut. The album was a combination of AC/DC, Mötley Crüe and Quiet Riot influences, characterized by Davidsons raucous snarl, and included an inspired cover version of Slades Gudbuy TJane, plus nine originals. Boys In Heat saw the band mellow a little: the make-up was discarded and replaced with a rough, streetwise rock n roller image. Davidsons vocals were further refined and the material edged, significantly, towards Cinderellas style. Britny Fox toured with Bon Jovi and Alice Cooper, but was unable to convert successful concert performances into album sales. Davidson quit in 1990 and went on to form Blackeyed Susan, with Tommy Paris being drafted in as his replacement almost a year later. Bite Down Hard emerged in 1991, with the songs following a much heavier direction. Against expectations, the band looked poised for greater success in the second phase of their career, but it was not to be, and Britny Fox was finally laid to rest in early 1993. Paris and Dee reunited in the band Uncle Edna, and resurrected Britny Fox in 1999 for a mini-tour the highlights of which were captured on Long Way To Live.

Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.